More fishermen arrested for buying fish on high seas

More fishermen have been arrested in the Western Region for allegedly buying large quantities of fish from foreign vessels on high seas in contravention of the law.

The latest is the arrest of 12 more fishermen by the Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service for allegedly carrying more than 1,150 slabs of iced fish which were illegally traded off the coast of Half-Assini early dawn, yesterday.

The arrest brings the number of people arrested to 30 in three days.

Trading According to the police the fishermen bought the consignment off the coast of Half Assini from a Chinese fishing vessels at the cost of ¢20,000.00

The police said some of the fishermen claimed that they did not know that transhipment was an offence.

Last Friday, the Marine Police arrested a 10-member crew on board a boat carrying about 2,080 slabs of iced fish which were being sent to Apam.

Twelve more fishermen were arrested on Saturday for allegedly committing a similar offence.

Director of Marine Police, Chief Supt Samuel Owusu-Berko said the fishermen had acted in contravention with the fisheries law which stipulated that unless authorized in writing by the Fisheries Commission, no fishing vessel should be used for transhipment without the supervision of an authorized officer.